“You just have to keep training and punting,” Hartbarger said. “You have to live in the moment and get better by yourself. Even in the winter you have to keep punting. You can’t stop because then you will be back where you were before and fall behind. Being in Ohio it’s a little bit more difficult. But I still punt here on the field. I’ve punted in the snow.”

Last fall Hartbarger averaged 41.5 yards per punt. He also pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line on 10 kicks. His longest was 62 yards, along with four boots of 55 yards and three of 52.

The training is starting to pay off.

Hartbarger has been chosen to play Jan. 2 in the prestigious Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando. He earned all-district and All-Northern Lakes League first-team honors last season and was selected to the All-Blade team. He is ranked as the No. 2 high school punter in the country by Kohl’s Kicking recruiting service.